This New Zealand developed apples are grown in Washington and available mainly during the winter season.
Early on in this history of this blog, apple reviews was one of the things I did often. I was tired of going to the grocery store and not knowing what apples were what.
Some of the apples I found early on I have not seen as much lately.
Example, the Pacific Rose.
I first encountered this apple at a Walmart store in late winter. I wasn't the impressed by it. But I like to get every apple at least a 2nd chance, if not a third or fourth.
How is this apple tasting to me in 2021? Find out and more about the Pacific Rose apple.
🌹 What is a Pacific Rose?
The first thing you need to know is that the apple is a cross between a Gala and a Splendor.
I have not had a Splendor apple before (it's an heirloom variety from New Zealand) but of course I am very familiar with Gala. One look at Pacific Rose's appearance and you can see the resemblance. I could even mistake it for a Gala although Pacific Rose is a little more pink in color.
The apple was developed in 1990 in New Zealand and first marketed in the US in 1996. It is grown on the other side of the world now in Washington.
❄️ When in Season
Look for it in stores from Washington from November to April - I most often find them in February or March. You can also get them from New Zealand from May to October, although in recent years I have not seen any imports myself.
📋 Ratings
Here is my ratings of this apple from the last time I tried it:
| Tart | 3 |
| Sweet | 8 |
| Juiciness | 7 |
| Flavor | 5 |
| Crispiness | 7 |
After trying the apple after not having it for several years, I can say that I liked it better this time around. Maybe it was because I got it earlier in the season or from a source other than Walmart.
The apple is crisp enough, not to Honeycrisp levels. It's pretty sweet. There is some tartness to it but not much. Sweet apple fans will want to give it a go, tart apple fans will want to pass it by.
The flavor is similar to Gala at it's peak, which is in September. If you like Galas but want a crispier apple in winter months, then give Pacific Rose a try.
I do not recommend baking with it as the apple is too sweet for that. I do think you could include it to make unsweetened applesauce.
🛒 Where to Buy
I have seen/bought them at three different places -
- Walmart
- Trader Joe's
- Baron's (a chain store in the San Diego area).
The future of this apple is up in the area. It's been on the market here in the US for a long time now. I have seen it overtaken by the many new varieties that have hit in recent years. Will Pacific Rose survive or wilt away?
🍏 Give These Apples a Try
Have you tried this apple? What did you think? Leave a comment below telling us. Be a helper and share where you found it. You may make someone's day with your insider info on where to get them! If you are a true apple lover, you'll want to check out all of our apple reviews.
I purchased the pacific rose apples at our local Walmart, in Escanaba Michigan, a couple of yrs ago. This is the sweetest apple ever, very crisp. One of the best apples ever! They are seasonal so I have to keep my eye out for them. This year they must have had a bad crop, due to weather, and the pacific rose apples looked horrible. So, I will be waiting for the next crop. Cannot compare this apple to no other, when it's a good crop.
I recently got a fruit basket with a pacific rose apple included with other fruit. It is quite delicious. I want to thank the growers for coming up with this wonderful apple.